Do I need to have live sand

[tikki50]

Hi I've recently setup my system (reef) about 2 weeks and I've noticed that several users suggest DSBs. Currently I have dolomite and CC about 1-2" thick. Id hate to tear apart my whole system now and add the sand. Do I really need it? Or can I simply remove a majority of the dolomite (leaving whats under the LR) and just add the sand around the rocks covering some of the dolomite. Knowing that rocks tend to surface over time, when its time to reseed the live sand I could remove more rocks that surfaced and plant more sand, correct? I recall when I was scuba diving that the substrate was all mixed up chucks of shells, cc, sand, etc. so mixing it shouldnt be that big of a deal, although that was in the ocean and not an aquarium. Also how thick should the sand be? And do I really need a plemun? All this now has me flustered, LOL.

I currently have a w/d corner sump in the main tank and was thinking of removing the W/d soon. I havent added a skimmer yet because I want the system to cycle. Once its done cycling I will add the skimmer.

What do you look for in a good skimmer? I know the aqua c is perffered, but its a bit pricey for me. What about the seaclone 100? The skimmer must be a hang-on.

One more question, Has anyone used the powersweep 228? Is it recommended? I plan on adding one or 2 powerheads for current and was curious what I might need. 290gph seems like a lot for a little 40 since I will have a 400gph in the sump too. Id hate to tear my corals with current.

Thank you
Todd

 

[Len]

Hey Todd

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Remove as much CC as you can and fill the rest up with fine argonite sand (such as Fijian live sand). CC in and of itself is not a horrible thing, but the particulate size is simply not right for habitation and denitrification. Caribsea makes a good range of aragonite sand; I recommend a mixture of "special grade" and "oolitic". Live sand is also good.

You don't need a plenum and I wouldn't worry about adding one. Some people like to use plenums, but it's not very popular style of dentrification anymore.

Seaclones aren't good skimmers, unfortunately. Your best bets are a Precision Marine HOT-1 or the AquaC. Both cost a bit more, but it's a lot cheaper to buy right the first time then upgrade later.

I don't recommend the powersweeps. They always get stuck and become regular powerheads in my experience. If you want to oscillate your flow affordably, I recommend the SQWD.

Hope that helps.

 

[Jolieve]

Aqua C's remora skimmers are the best skimmer for the price, IMO.

I started out much like you, with an inch or two of crushed coral in my tank, no live sand bed. Within a matter of months, I replaced it. I removed mine by siphoning it out of the tank with a decent size vinyl hose. Since cc is fairly large, it's not too hard to put the water that you drain out in this process back into the tank. Just gently siphon the water back into the tank off the top of the bucket and keep that hose away from the crushed coral so it stays in the bottom.

After this, just gently pour your sand into the system. Be sure the sand is well rinsed first, mine wasn't very well rinsed and the tank looked like milk for a couple of days. Your tank will get cloudy after you add the sand. Don't let this worry you, it will settle back out in a few days.

Be sure that you rinse the sand really well before you add it, otherwise your tank will cloud up for a week. (My tank looked like milk for the first two days.) Just save several gallons of the old water from your water changes and use that to rinse the sand in a large rubbermaid container. This should help reduce the cloudiness somewhat.

You will need a sandbed about four inches deep, and the products that len has recommended to you are top notch. Skip the powersweep and the seaclone, go for the Aqua C remora (or the remora pro, depending on your system's needs) and the sqwd instead.

Good luck!
J.